Carl Fasano
Carl Fasano, Sandan (third degree black belt), fukoshidoin (certified by the USAF) is the chief instructor of Brown-RISD Aikido. In 1986 Carl began his study of aikido at the New England Aikikai in Cambridge, MA under Mitsunari Kanai Shihan, 8th dan, Technical Director of The U.S. Aikido Federation. In 1995 he recieved permission from Kanai Sensei to start teaching aikido classes at the Rhode Island School of Design and at Brown University.
Carl continues to train on a regular basis in Providence, at the New England Aikikai in Cambridge and by attending several aikido seminars each year. Carl began his martial arts training with Okinawan Karate in 1972. While at college and graduate school he temporarily discontiued his study of martial arts instead focusing on gymnastics, running and weightlifting.
Carl has a B.F.A degree from Cornell University and an M.F.A from Yale University. He is a painter and printmaker. He has been on the faculty of the Rhode Island School of Design since 1991. He has had broad experience teaching a variety of subjects at a number of unversities.
Mark Binder
Mark Binder, chief instructor and founder of Way of Harmony Aikido, has been a student of Aikido since 1991. He holds a Sandan (third degree black belt) in Aikido and holds the instructional title of Shidoin as an Instructor certified through the Aikido Association of America.
Mr. Binder began studying under Glenn Webber, Sensei (5th Dan), and spent four years studying and teaching with Lou Perriello, Sensei (6th Dan, head of the USJA, USMA Aikido programs). He makes it a point to travel to different dojos and practice with a variety of people (although this has become much much more difficult since the birth of his children).
Mark Binder has been teaching Aikido since 1993, and is a frequent contributor of essays about Aikido to magazines and newspapers, including Aikido Journal, the international magazine for Aikido.
In addition to his Aikido training, Mr. Binder spent five years studying Alexander Technique with Saura Bartner. He has worked with the Adaptors Movement Theater and is a graduate of the Trinity Rep Conservatory.
Mark Binder is a professional author and storyteller (playwright and freelance writer). He is the author of four books, three CDs, hundreds of short stories and articles. To find out more about his work, visit his web site at http://www.markbinder.com